About the Book
Patricia T. O'Conner, the bestselling language maven who demystified grammar ("Woe Is I") and writing ("Words Fail Me") for legions of delighted readers, now takes on the challenge of polishing our electronic language skills.
E-mail and the Internet need not be the death of good writing. In fact, the computer could be the best thing to happen to literacy since the printing press. Since we're all writing all the time, "You Send Me" helps us polish up our language and social skills in cyberspace.
Dealing with subjects like etiquette ("To E or Not to E"), beefier writing ("The E-Mail Eunuch"), and civilized English ("Go Configure"), the authors deliver everything you need to know to achieve virtual savvy. If you'd like to upgrade your e-mail and other online writing, this is the book for you.
About the Author :
Patricia O'Conner, a past editor at the New York Times Book Review, is author of the classic on demystifying grammar: Woe is I ("A cool book"-Garrison Keillor), and Words Fail Me, both established bestsellers in their field.
Review :
PRAISE FOR "WORDS FAIL ME"
"This is the other book Bill Strunk would have written if he'd had more of a sense of humor."--SharpWriter.com
PRAISE FOR "WOE IS I"
"A cool book."--Garrison Keillor
"Lighthearted and funny . . . It's like Strunk and White combined with
S. J. Perleman."--Daniel Pinkwater, "The New York Times Book Review"
From the "Rocky Mountain News":
A primer on online writing etiquette
By Patti Thorn, News Books Editor
September 6, 2002
So you think sending email is as simple as making a few keystrokes and hitting the "send" button?
Take our advice: Delete that thought.
When it comes to e-mail, the etiquette questions are as numerous as chips in your computer.
For example:
1) Is it acceptable to write your message in all capital letters?
2) Can you go wrong using online humor?
3) Is it OK to use abbreviations, such as LOL and TTFN?
These are the kinds of questions tackled in You Send Me: Getting It Right When You Write Online, by Patricia T. O'Conner and Stewart Kellerman (Harcourt). The book is a small but powerful volume dedicated to the notion that email can be as tricky as it is time-saving.
Indeed, say the authors, "Many e-mailers, it seems, are as casual about their manners as they are about their writing. Someone who wouldn't dream of imposing in a letter won't hesitate in an e-mail."
That same someone will send long attachments that will crash your computer; forward an e-mail that has been forwarded so many times, it's 9 pages and counting; write a benign message so curtly that you're left feeling insulted rather than informed.
The list of possible gaffes goes on. Suffice it to say that we could all use a lesson in online manners. In this case, the price of that lesson is $17.95. Meanwhile, we're happy to offer an even cheaper sneak preview.
Regarding the aforementioned questions:
1) Writing in all caps is akin to shouting your message. And let's face it, "Shouters are seen as rude and in-your-face."
2) Online humor isstrictly touch and go. "The wrong crack sent at the wrong time and to the wrong person, can be a disaster."
3) Only use abbreviations when you're certain the person you're writing knows what they mean. LOL, for example, means "laughing out loud," and TTFN is a good way to sign off on this item. As in, Ta-Ta-For-Now.
I give my wholehearted endorsement ... O'Conner and Kellerman ... write
concisely ... and charmingly ... about crafting effective e-mail. -- Charles Matthews, The Mercury News (San Jose, CA)
A small but powerful volume dedicated to the notion that email can be as
tricky as it is time-saving. -- Patti Thorn, Rocky Mountain News (Denver, CO)
Funny and sure to generate interest.... Their goal: encourage tact, taste,
brevity, truth, good spelling and good grammar in e-mail. --Anne Stephenson, Arizona Republic
Delivers the goods when it comes to clear writing and the basics of
e-mailing.... Most comprehensive guide to e-mail protocol. -- David M. Kinchen, HuntingtonNews.net (Huntington, WV)
Plain old fun.... I highly recommend it.... Very helpful ... suggestions and
advice delivered in a breezy, conversational style. -- Pam Robinson, American Copy Editors Society
A lively and articulate guide to ... the greatest thing to happen to
communication since the invention of print. -- Richard Lederer the sound advice given here. -- Barbara Wallraff
Before you click 'Send, ' read You Send Me. ... Common sense and uncommon
humor. -- David Feldman
Pat O'Conner ... and Stewart Kellerman make it clear that the future of
English (God help us) is in e-mail. -- Leonard Lopate
From the "Rocky Mountain News:
A primer on online writing etiquette
By Patti Thorn, News Books Editor
September 6, 2002
So you think sending email is as simple as making a few keystrokes and hitting the "send" button?
Take our advice: Delete that thought.
When it comes to e-mail, the etiquette questions are as numerous as chips in your computer.
For example:
1) Is it acceptable to write your message in all capital letters?
2) Can you go wrong using online humor?
3) Is it OK to use abbreviations, such as LOL and TTFN?
These are the kinds of questions tackled in You Send Me: Getting It Right When You Write Online, by Patricia T. O'Conner and Stewart Kellerman (Harcourt). The book is a small but powerful volume dedicated to the notion that email can be as tricky as it is time-saving.
Indeed, say the authors, "Many e-mailers, it seems, are as casual about their manners as they are about their writing. Someone who wouldn't dream of imposing in a letter won't hesitate in an e-mail."
That same someone will send long attachments that will crash your computer; forward an e-mail that has been forwarded so many times, it's 9 pages and counting; write a benign message so curtly that you're left feeling insulted rather than informed.
The list of possible gaffes goes on. Suffice it to say that we could all use a lesson in online manners. In this case, the price of that lesson is $17.95. Meanwhile, we're happy to offer an even cheaper sneak preview.
Regarding the aforementioned questions:
1) Writing in all caps is akin to shouting your message. And let's face it, "Shouters are seen as rude and in-your-face."
2) Online humor is strictlytouch and go. "The wrong crack sent at the wrong time and to the wrong person, can be a disaster."
3) Only use abbreviations when you're certain the person you're writing knows what they mean. LOL, for example, means "laughing out loud," and TTFN is a good way to sign off on this item. As in, Ta-Ta-For-Now.
